Article I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky.
Article II. Purpose
The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky shall be to advance the general welfare of the blind of Kentucky and the nation; to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind; to serve as a vehicle for collective action by the blind of Kentucky; to operate as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted persons can come together in local chapters and state meetings to plan and carry out programs to improve the quality of life of the blind; to provide a means of collective action for parents of blind children; to forward the interests of blind students and provide them with a means of joint action and expression; to promote the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind; to achieve the integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality with the sighted; and to take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind.
Article III. Membership
Section One--Active members: At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be blind. Active membership shall have two (2) classifications: active members who are associated with local chapters or divisions and active members at large who are not affiliated with a local chapter or division.
- All active members of local chapters or divisions shall become active members of this organization, when their name is on a membership list of any chapter or division received by the President of this organization by the first day of January each year. Active members shall have the right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office.
- Any person who is not affiliated with a local chapter or division, may become an active member of this organization by requesting membership at-large and remitting his/her dues to the President of this organization by the first day of January each year, and complying with requirements established by the Board of Directors.
- Dues must be received by no later than 60 (sixty) days from the date of the scheduled state Convention to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, hold office and qualify for membership pricing during the annual state convention.
Section Two--Disciplinary Action: Any member may be expelled for violation of this constitution or for conduct unbecoming a member of this organization, by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at the convention or a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors. The state convention may reinstate any person who has been expelled unless such expulsion has been confirmed by the National convention or by the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, in which event the person may not be reinstated except by the National Board. Any person who believes that they have been unjustly disciplined or expelled from this organization may appeal to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, which may (in its discretion) consider the matter and make a binding decision.
Article IV. Local Chapters
Section One--Organization: Any organized group desiring to become a local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky a copy of its Constitution and a list of the names and addresses of its members and elected officers. When the convention or Board of Directors shall have approved the application, it shall issue to the local chapter a certificate of Acceptance. Annually, on or before January 1st, each local chapter shall provide to the Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky a current list of its members and its state dues of one dollar ($1.00) per active member. Each local chapter, on or before January 1st shall also provide the state President with a list of the names and addresses of its members and with a detailed financial report for the past year. A majority of the voting members of each local chapter must be blind. The President, Vice President(s), and at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the local chapter must be blind. The President of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky shall be an ex officio member of each local chapter.
Section Two--Dissolution: In the event of dissolution of a local chapter, or if (for whatever reason) the local chapter ceases to be a part of this organization, its assets shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky. The National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky shall hold those assets in escrow for two (2) years to be returned at any time during that period to a reinstated local chapter. If, at the end of that period, said chapter is still dissolved, for whatever reason, said funds shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky, and the local chapter shall forthwith cease to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof.
Section Three--Expulsion of Chapters: Any local chapter may be expelled for misconduct or violation of this constitution, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky or by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. The state convention may reinstate any chapter which has been expelled, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those members present and voting. Any chapter believing that it has been unjustly expelled may appeal to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind which may (in its discretion) consider the matter and make a binding decision.
Article V. Divisions
The Board of directors shall establish procedures for admission of a division and shall determine the structure of a division. The division shall, with the approval of the board, adopt a constitution and determine its membership policies, which may not contradict the duties and privileges afforded to them in this constitution or the national constitution.
Annually, on or before January 1st, each division shall provide to the Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky a current list of its members and its state dues of one dollar ($1.00) per active member. Each division, on or before January 1st, shall provide the state President with a list of the names and addresses of its members and with a detailed financial report for the past year.
Article VI. Officers and Their Duties
Section One--Officers and their duties: There shall be elected at the regular annual convention on even numbered years a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The terms of these officers shall begin at the close of the convention at which they are elected and qualified. Officers shall serve for two-year terms. Officers shall be elected by majority vote of the active members who are present and voting. There shall be no proxy voting. Each officer elected must receive a majority of the votes. The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that office.
Section Two--Replacement of Officers: Should the President, for any reason, be unable to complete their instead of his/her term of office, their instead of his/her duties shall be assumed by the First Vice President. In turn the Second Vice President would become the First Vice President. Replacement of the Second Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer shall be by appointment of the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Article VII. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of this organization shall consist of the five (5) constitutional officers and four (4) Directors elected to two-year terms at annual conventions held in odd numbered years. The board shall meet at the call of the President or on written call signed by any two (2) Board members. The board shall establish policies for the operation of the organization between conventions. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.
Article VIII. Meetings
Section One--Annual Convention: This organization shall hold an annual convention, the time and place of which shall be fixed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. At least fifteen (15) active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any annual convention.
Section Two--Special Meetings: The President or a majority of the Board of Directors of this organization may call a special meeting of the body at any time. At such special meeting, at least fifteen (15) active members must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business, and written notice must have been sent to the President of each local chapter and division and to the members of the Board of Directors at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. Business transacted shall be limited to those items for which such a meeting was called.
Article IX. Committees
The President may appoint such committees as they or the organization deems necessary. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees.
Article X. Affiliation
The National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky shall be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind and shall furnish to the President of the National Federation of the Blind annually on or before January 1, a list of names and addresses of its members and elected officers. A copy of the Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky and all amendments to the Constitution shall be sent to the President of the National Federation of the Blind without delay. The National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky shall not merely be a social organization, but shall formulate programs and actively work to promote the economic and social betterment of the blind. This organization, its chapters, and divisions, shall comply with provisions of the constitution of the National Federation of the Blind. Policy decisions of the National Federation of the Blind (whether made by the National convention or the Board of Directors) are binding on this organization, its chapters, divisions, and members; and this organization, its chapters, divisions, and members shall participate affirmatively in carrying out such policy decisions. As a condition of affiliation, it is agreed by this organization that the National Federation of the Blind (whether by action of the National Convention or the National Board) has the power to expel or discipline an individual member and to expel or reorganize a state affiliate, local chapter, or division. In the event of reorganization, the assets of the affiliate and its local chapters and divisions belong to the reorganized affiliate; and the former affiliate, its chapters, and divisions, shall dissolve and cease to exist. The name National Federation of the blind, Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof is the property of the National Federation of the Blind; and this organization or any of its chapters or divisions which cease to be a part of the National Federation of the blind (for whatever reason) shall forfeit the right to use the name National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the blind or any variant thereof. The President of the National Federation of the Blind shall be an ex officio member of this organization and each of its local chapters and divisions.
Article XI. Disbursement of Funds
The funds of this organization shall be deposited in a bank to be selected by the Treasurer with the approval of the President. All financial obligations of this organization shall be discharged by check, issued on written order of the President, and signed by the Treasurer. All disbursements shall be made in accordance with policies established by the Board of Directors. The fiscal year of this organization shall be the calendar year.
The funds of the organization may be invested in any manner approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the board of directors or a majority of those members present and voting at an annual convention or special meeting.
Article XII. Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky, or if it ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, its assets shall be given to the National Federation of the Blind, to be held in trust for a reorganized affiliate in the state. In the event that no affiliate is organized in the state for a period of two (2) years from the date this organization ceases to be an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, the assets shall become the property of the National Federation of the Blind.
Article XIII. Amendments
This constitution may be amended at any annual convention of this organization by a two- thirds (2/3) vote of the active members present and voting. All proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the President of this organization at least sixty (60) days prior to the convention. The President shall inform the membership of the substance and nature of such proposals at least fifteen (15) days prior to the convention. Amendments adopted shall be incorporated into this constitution. The Constitution as amended shall be made available to all members.